When the Ventura County Basketball Association bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award to
Henry Lobo in 2011, it recognized the defensive innovator who resurrected the Oxnard High
program.
Oxnard had 10 losing records in an 11-year stretch, including a 3-21 record in 1990-91, prior to
Lobo being hired.
Full-court pressure. Half-court traps. Anything that could create havoc to opposing defenses.
Lobo-coached teams were known for the intensity it brought from the opening tip to the final
buzzer.
By his fourth season (1994-95), Oxnard had its first winning record since 1984-85.
The Yellowjackets would never have a losing season again under Lobo, posting eight 20-win
seasons in a 10-year stretch.
At Oxnard, Lobo won nine Pacific View League titles, losing just five times in 94 league games
from 1998-2008. His teams had three PVL winning streaks of 13 games or longer, not including a
stretch of 40 league wins in a row. The ‘Jackets made 13 postseason appearances under Lobo’s
watch.
Often placed in the section’s highest playoff division, Oxnard advanced to the semifinals twice,
losing to eventual champion Eisenhower, 71-62, in 2002-03, and to Thousand Oaks, 56-55, in
2005-06.
Lobo retired after the 2007-08 season with a 300-148 record. He was a three-time county coach
of the year and was the Los Angeles Times Ventura County coach of the year in 1999. The CIFSouthern Section named Lobo as a “Champion of Character” award winner in 2017.
Since retiring as head coach, Lobo served as an assistant coach for the Oxnard program.
He has taught for more than three decades with the Oxnard Union High School District, working
with at-risk students for 20 years. Additionally, Lobo has run basketball camps and programs for
Oxnard youth.
He and his wife Maria are the parents of daughters Isabel and Danielle.